Log turner



Aug. 1, 1950 A. R. MARSHALL LOG TURNER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 3, 1948 INVENTOR. Aua E. Mars/7077 Aiforneys g- 1950 A. R. MARSHALL 2,5175007 LOG TURNER Filed Aug. 3, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 1 A00 R Mars/70H Patented Aug. 1, 1950 OFFICE LOG TURNER Am]. B. Marshall, Auberry, Calif. Application August 3, 1948, Serial No. 42,277

6 Claims.

, My invention relates to a log turner for use in a sawmill for turning a log on a log carriage so as to present another side thereof to the saw. Such turners are well known and usually comprise a cant hook pivoted on a log pusher, which in turn is power actuated to and from a retracted position below a log deck to an advanced position adjacent the log carriage. In the forward movement of the pusher, the same engages a log on the log deck and pushes the same onto the head blocks of a log carriage and seats the log thereon against adjustable knees in a position for sawing. During such forward movement of the pusher, the cant hook is loaded to a retracted postion by an operative connection between the power means, the cant hook and the pusher. Upon retracting movement of the pusher, such operative connection is effective to move the cant hook into engagement with a log and continued retracting movementis effective to turn the log over. Such log turners have the objectionable feature that after turning, the log is improperly positioned on the log carriage or log deck, whereby the pusher must be again advanced to properly position the log against the knees and thereafter retracted. Consequently, means must be provided to maintain the cant hook retracted during such lastnamed retracting movement to avoid actuation of r i the hook to turn the log once more.

With the foregoing in view, an object of my invention is to provide an improved log turner.

A further object is to provide an improved log turner wherein the cant hook is normally main tained in its retracted position during the logpushing operation and the subsequent retraction of the pusher, but is automatically released to engage a log and turn the same during the retracting movement when the pusher is advanced 'in the art upon reference to the accompanying drawings in connection with thefollowing spectfication, wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawings: a Figure .1 is an end view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the same operativelyassociated with a log deck and a log carriage, parts beingshown in transverse vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the log ing to the invention;.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on the planeof the .line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring specifically to the drawings, wherein like reference characters have been used throughout the several views to designate like parts, and referring more specifically to Figure 1, ill designates any suitable log carriage including head blocks ii mounting adjustable knees 52, which cooperate to properly position a log 13 on the carriage for sawing. by any suitable saw, not shown. The'log 'carriageis preferably provided with wheels, which in turn roll upon suit able tracks for moving the carriage'past thesaw. A suitable log deck 14 and the associated log skids 15 are laterally adjacent the logcarriage turner accordto facilitate the transfer of logs from the deck to the carriage. As sofar described, the structure isconventio nal and formsno part of the invention. i

A suitable base It is provided below the level of the log deck M and adjacent the forward end thereof. Such base lfihas journaled therein in any suitable manner a shaft I '1. The shaft 11,

in turns, mountsa pusher frame it which icomprises in this instance a pair of parallel. pusher bars IS, the lower ends of which are connected by a suitable sleeve 20 which is concentrically disposed about the shaft H and freely rotatable thereon. Theupper ends of the pusher bars [9 in turn is extended through an eye formed in the forward end of the hook. Intermediate the ends, the hook 24.1s provided with a forwardly-directed crank-providing 111g28 which isjournaled for free rotation on a spindle 29.

The spindle 29 is relatively shorter than the spindle 22, and is journaled in the upper ends of a pair of relatively heavy dropbars 30 which comprise means for-loading the hook 24 in a logengaging direction. The lower ends of the drop bars 3|] are formed with aligned and longitudinal- .ly-extending slots 3| in whichthe latchbar 23 is threaded shank of a trip member 38.

slidably received. The slots3| are closed at both ends, whereby to cooperate with the latch bar 23 and provide means for limiting sliding movement of the drop bars 30 relative to the pusher bars l9. As is clearly apparent in Figures 1 and 2, the drop bars 3|! are between the pusher bars 9 and are substantially aligned therewith, but which are preferably biased slightly rearwardly relative thereto. The drop bars 30 are connected above the slot 3| by a spindle 32. A latch lever 34 includes a forwardly-directed lever arm 33 which is journaled on the spindle 32 between the drop bars 30. The lever 34 includes a forwardlyinclined cam surface 35 which normally extends diagonally relative to the slots 3|. Such surface 35 merges into a notch 36 which is adapted to engage the latch bar 23, Figure 3, whereby to maintain the drop bars 30 in an elevated position. In this connection, it should be noted that the notch 36 is effective to engage the latch bar 23 only when the drop bars 3!] have been raised to position the latch bar adjacent the lower ends of the slots 3|. The lever 34 below the notch 36 is extended to a plane beyond the lower ends of the slots 3| and there formed with a forwardlydirected socket 31 which threadedly receives the The trip 38 is adapted to be threaded into and out of the socket 31, whereby to vary the length of that portion extending forwardly thereof. Rearwardly of the socket 31, the lower end of the lever 34 is formed with a rearward extension 39 which includes a longitudinal slot 40 in which is adjustably mounted any suitable weight 4|. The purpose of the trip 38 and weight 4| will be apparent later.

The pusher frame |8 is advanced and retracted by any suitable power means, and in the embodiment illustrated, such means comprises a drive of turns of a cable 44. A drive member 45 is provided which may comprise a pair of drive arms 46 mounting sheaves 41 and 49 adjacent the .front and rear ends, respectively, thereof.

One end of the cable 44 is passed around the forward 'sheave 41 and adjustably anchored to the drive frame 45 by any suitable adjustable means 48. In like manner, the opposite end of the cable is passed around the rear sheave 49 and anchored to the drive frame by any suitable adjustable means 50. The forward ends of the drive bars 46 are connected by a suitable spindle The spindle 5| also passes through and is ournaled in upper end portions of the drop bars 50, As is readily apparent from Figure 2, the drive frame bars are located intermediate the pusher bars I9 and the drop bars 30. As is readily apparent from the foregoing, as the drive shaft 42 is rotated in clockwise direction, Figures 1 and 3, the cable 44 will be wound around the drum 43,

whereby the drive frame 45 is moved downwardly and rearwardly. By virtue of its connection 5| with the drop bars and the latters connection with the cant hook and the pusher bars, the entire pusher frame I8 is moved in a clockwise direction,

Figure 3, on the shaft I1. Obviously, upon rota- "tion of the drive shaft 42 in a counter-clockwise direction, the drive frame 45 and pusher frame I 8 will be advanced, the latter frame being rocked in a counter-clockwise direction on its pivot.

As the drive frame 45 is advancing, forward and upward pressure is exerted on the spindle 5| which in turn is transmitted to-the drop bars 30.

At the same time, by virtue of the connection or spindle 29 between the drop bars and the crank lug 28 of the cant hook, the latter is loaded in a direction for rotation on its spindle 22 in a clock- 5 wise direction. The various movements thus described are limited by the engagement of the lower ends of the slots 3| with the latch bar 23. In like manner, with the parts in this position, the latch shoulder 35 of the latch 34 has engaged the upper surface of the latch bar 23, whereby return movement of the drop bars 30 is rendered impossible when the drive frame 45 and pusher frame I8 are retracted. Thus, in normal operation, the parts are in the position of Figure 3, and the hook 24 is retracted. However, when the pusher frame I8 is retracted in a clockwise direction, Figure 1, past the solid line position, the weight 4| is effective to withdraw the latch 34 from engagement with the latch bar 33 whereby the drop bars 30 move downwardly and the hook 24 pivots downwardly in a counter-clockwise direction on the spindle 22, so that when the frame I8 is fully retracted, as shown in broken lines at the right, Figure 1, the entire apparatus is positioned below the upper surfaces of the log deck and log skids l5. However, when a log i3 is initially positioned on the carriage 0, one edge thereof will normally project outwardly of the carriage in the path of the saw, as indicated in the broken line 52, Figure 39 1. After one or more slabs or planks have been sawed from the log, it is customary to roll the same down onto the fiat side 53 thereby formed, and the operation repeated until the log is squared. As is clearly shown in Figure 1, once sufficient slabs or planks have been sawed from a face of the log so that the surface 53 is substantially vertically aligned with the forward surface of the head block H, the pusher frame I8 is permitted to advance further than would be the case were the unsawed surface 52 of the log presented. Thus, when it is desired to turn the log which has been sawed, as aforesaid, it is only necessary to advance the pusher frame I8, as previously described, to the left-hand broken line position, 45 Figure 1. As the frame approaches this position, the free end of the trip 38 will engage the forward surface of the head block and will be moved rear wardly upon continued forward movement to release the latch 34 from engagement with the latch bar 23. When this occurs, the drop bars 3|] descend and rock the cant book 24 in a log-engaging direction. The weight of the drop bars 30 is sufilcient to embed the dog 26 in the log. Thereafter, when the pusher frame I8 is retracted, as aforesaid, the log is rocked forwardly onto the flat surface 53. The pusher frame I8 is again advanced to properly position the log 3 on the head blocks, but while this is done, the rounded surface of the log which is now presented prevents the pusher 60 frame from advancing far enough for the trip 38 to engage the head block. At the same time, the forward action of the drive frame 45 working through the connection with the drop bars moves the drop bars upwardly to relock the cant hook 65 24 in its elevated position. Thus, the subsequent retraction of the pusher frame is accomplished without it being necessary to manually retract the cant hook 24.

While I have shown weighted drop bars 34 for 70 loading the cant hook in an actuating direction, it is obvious that springs might well be substituted therefor. Also, while I have shown and described what is now thought to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that 16 the same is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limit myself to the precise structure shown and described hereinabove except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a log turner including a bumper frame, means pivotally mount ng said frame for vertical swinging movement to and from a retracted position below a log deck and an advanced position substantially engaging a log carriage, and power means for actuating said frame, the improvement comprising a cant hook pivoted'to said frame and swingable into and out of a log-engaging position, an actuating means operatively connected to said hook and loading said hook for movement in a log-engaging direct on, latch means engageable with said actuating means to lock the same against hook-actuating movement, and trip means carried by said frame and engageable with said carriage as said frame approaches sa d advanced position, said trip means being operatively connected to said latch and movable by said engagement with said carriage to release sa d latch when said frame reaches said advanced position.

2. In a log turner including a pivoted bumper frame, and power means for pivoting said frame to and from a retracted position below a log deck and an advanced position at least substantially engaging a log carriage, a cant hook operatively connected both to said frame and to said power means whereby to retract said hook upon movement of said frame towards said advanced position, the improvement comprising actuating means loading said hook for movement in a log-engaging direction, latch means locking said actuating means and said hook in retracted positions, and trip means engageable with said carriage and movable thereby to release said latch means to permit actuation of said hook in a logengaging direction by said actuating means as said frame reaches said advanced position.

3. In a log turner including a base, a pair of parallel bumper arms pivoted to said base for vertical swinging movement to and from a retracted position below a log deck and an advanced position at least substantially engaging a log carriage, a cant hook pivoted between said bumper arms, power means for advancing and retracting said arms, and a cranked connection between said power means and said hook for loading said hook in a retracted position as said arms are advanced and loading saidhook for advancing movement as said arms are retracted, the improvement comprising latch means normally locking said hook in a retracted position, trip means for unlatching said latch, and said trip means being engageable with said log carriage to trip the same as said bumper arms reach a fully advanced position.

4. In a log turner including a base, a pair of parallel bumper arms pivoted to said base for vertical swinging movement to and from a retracted pos tion below a log deck and an advanced position at least substantially engaging a log carriage, a cant hook pivoted between said bumper arms, power means for advancing and retracting said arms, the improvement comprising a spindle providing a crank pin on said hook, at least one weighted drop bar pivoted on said pin and depending therefrom, means pivotally connecting said power means to said drop bar below said pin, a latch bar connecting said bumper arms in:- termedate the ends thereof, said drop bar being formed with a closed slot therein slidably receiving said latch bar, a latch pivoted to said drop bar and normally engaging said latch bar to lock said drop bar and said hook in a raised position, said latch including a forwardly-projecting trip, said trip being engageable with a log carriage as said bumper arms approach an advanced position whereby to unlatch said latch and permit downward movement of said drop bar and actuation of said hook in a log-engaging direction.

5. In a log turner including a base, a pair of parallel bumper arms pivoted to said base for vertical swinging movement to and from a retracted position below a log deck and an advanced position at least substant ally engaging a log carriage, a cant hook pivoted between said bumper arms, power means for advancing and retracting said arms, the improvement comprising a spindle providing a crank pin on said hook, at least one weighted drop bar pivoted on said pin and depending therefrom, means pivotally connecting said power means to said drop bar below said pin, a latch bar connecting said bumper arms intermediate the ends thereof, said drop bar being formed with a closed slot therein sldably receiving said latch bar, a latch pivoted to said drop bar and normally engaging said latch bar to lock said drop bar and said hook in a raised position, said latch including a forwardly-projecting trip, said trip being engageable with a log carriage as said bumper arms approach an advanced position whereby to unlatch said latch and permlt downward movement of said drop bar and actuation of said hook in a log-engaging direction, a weight carried by said latch, and said weight being operative to disengage said latch as said bumper arms approach a retracted position.

6. In a log turner including a base, a pair of parallel bumper arms pivoted to said base for vertical swinging movement to and from a retracted position below a log deck and an advanced position at least substantially engaging a log carriage, a cant hook pivoted between sa d bumper arms, power means for advancing and retracting said arms, the improvement comprising a spindle providing a crank pin on said hook, at least one weighted drop bar pivoted on said pin and depending therefrom, means pivotally connecting said power means to said drop bar below said pin, a latch bar connecting said bumper arms intermediate the ends thereof, said drop bar being formed with a closed slot therein slidably receiving said latch bar, a latch pivoted to said drop bar and normally engaging said latch bar to lock said drop bar and said hook in a raised position, said latch including a forwardly-projecting trip, said trip being engageable with a log carriage as said bumper arms approach an advanced position whereby to unlatch said latch and permit downward movement of said drop bar and actuation of said hook in a log-engaging direction, and said trip being adjustable to lengthen and shorten the same, whereby to vary the time of unlatching relative to the position of said bumper arms.

AUD R. MARSHALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 184,233 Emery Nov. 14, 1876 702,974 Leland June 24, 1902 

